In downtown Eugene, police warn of new ecstasy candy, or methylenedioxy-methamphetamine.

Two men, Bradley Lynn Cozby, and James Richard Cossai had the drugged infused candy in their possession. They were charged with possession of around three pounds of ecstasy candy.

Police officer Richard Bremer said the candies were individually wrapped and packaged in groups of four. Officer Bremer said, “it was evident that it was packaged for sale.” Police seized around 140 pieces of drugged candy.

“We’ve (previously) seen candy that’s laced with THC, with synthetic marijuana, and made into lollipops. But when we later tested these items, it was determined it was ecstasy.”

Police warn that “these items can appear to be a normal piece of hard candy that someone would make in their home.” He said there were no evident signs or smell that the laced candy contained drugs.

Since the ecstasy candy is rare, police warn that children or other people could unknowingly come into contact with it. It’s also dangerous to users who choose to ingest the laced candy because there is an unknown concentration of ecstasy in it.

Ecstasy, or MDMA is a synthetic drug that produces hallucionogenic and stimulant effects, and can be found all over the world. It brings users a feeling of extreme euphoria, and reduces inhibitions.

The short-term effects of ecstasy include panic attacks, high blood pressure, blurred vision, muscle cramping, and confusion. It can disrupt the body’s temperature signals to the brain causing dehydration and hypothermia. It can also lead to increased sexual feelings and poor decision making.

Lowered inhibitions can lead to unsafe sex, multiple sexual partners, sexually transmitted infections, unwanted pregnancy, and the spread of HIV.

There have been reports of people dying from strokes and seizures, as well as kidney failure from taking ecstasy.

The long-term side effects include anxiety, depression, paranoia, sleep disorders, and addiction. Long-term usage damages nerves that produce serotonin, and could cause permanent brain damage, especially to adolescents those brains are still developing.